News & Events

Bel Air, MD -- The 4th Annual Heather L. Hurd 5K Run and 1 Mile Fun Walk takes place at Harford Community College Saturday, November 10, at 9 a.m. On-site race registration takes place in the newly renovated Susquehanna Center auxiliary gymnasium from 8 to 8:45 a.m., with the race starting at 9 a.m.

The race, on a USA Track and Field Certified Course, honors the memory of Heather L. Hurd, a history major at Harford Community College from 1999 to 2003, who was killed in 2008 by a distracted driver who was texting.

Tim Hartley of WXCY-FM will serve as master of ceremonies. The Ravens’ mascot, Poe, will also be on hand for the festivities.

Among the exhibitors at the race will be Upper Chesapeake Health, conducting blood-pressure screenings before and after the race.

The walk/run was established by the Hurd Family and Harford Community College in 2009 to raise funds for book scholarships for HCC students and to raise awareness of traffic accidents, their consequences and what can be done to prevent them.

The event also remembers the hundreds of victims who are killed on Maryland roads each year and acknowledges the critical work of first responders—fire, police and ambulance personnel.

The registration fee for the race is $20 per person in advance and $25 on race day. The cost is $10 for those under 18 years of age accompanied by a registered adult.

Each participant will receive a T-shirt and refreshments after the race. Runner’s gloves will be given to the first 200 registrants. Awards will be presented based on age groups and final times. Participants may pre-register for the race online --- click Website below.

“We invite the entire community to come out for this event,” said Eyvo Johnson, the run/walk coordinator. “We will have a course for every level of participant, from a one mile fun walk to a USA Track and Field Certified 5K for the experienced runners.”

For those unable to walk or run but would like to participate, donations may be made to sponsor a participant running or walking in the race, or an outright donation may be made by online --- click Website below.

“It is my hope that by bringing awareness to the tragedies of distracted driving to every run/walk participant, they will remember this message every time they get behind the wheel,” said Russell Hurd, Heather’s father. “I want to save other families from the grief that our family experiences every day with the loss of our Heather.”

Over the past three years, $32,000 has been raised by the race for Remembrance Book Scholarships. Book scholarships have been presented to 54 deserving HCC students.

Also taking place at the run/walk will be a raffle. First prize is two tickets to the Ravens vs. Steelers game on December 2. Second prize is a signed, framed poster of Joe Flacco. Tickets cost $5 each and may be purchased at the race on November 10 or by contacting Russell Hurd via email at russlers8980@verizon.net.